Last Minute Book Buying Suggestions from the Mixed-Up File Members

Do you have your gifts bought already? Come on. Be honest. You are probably still shopping. I know I am. There’s always one person that has everything and you just can’t figure out what to get them. Here’s a tip, buy them a book!

And just because we are in the holiday mood here at the Mixed-Up Files, we thought we’d share some of our best book-buying tips with you. Hope you find them helpful. 🙂

For the reader who loves fantastical adventure stories like CORALINE,

try K.A. Reynold’s THE LAND OF YESTERDAY

Fantasy adventurer’s who enjoyed THE NIGHT GARDENER would surely be enthralled with

LOCKWOOD & CO: The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud

For kids who love graphic novels and sci-fi, pick up SANITY & TALLULAH by Molly Brooks

Have a budding explorer in your family? Give them Jennifer Swanson’s ASTRONAUT-AQUANAUT: HOW SPACE SCIENCE AND SEA SCIENCE INTERACT

Sporty aliens and their Earthbound fans will enjoy THE AMORPHOUS ASSASSIN in the Galaxy Games series by Greg R. Fishbone

Young readers who like a spunky, take-charge main character need to MEET YASMIN, by Saadia Faruqi

For readers who like music and magic become enchanted with THREE RULES OF EVERYDAY MAGIC, by Amanda Rawson Hill.

For readers who love wrestling, try TAKEDOWN, by Laura Shovan

For readers who love fantasy and adventure seek  THE HOTEL BETWEEN, by Sean Easley

For readers who are dealing with complex family relationships and mental illness read WHERE THE WATERMELON GROWS, by Cindy Baldwin

For the young reader who is an animal advocate , check out Nancy Castaldo’s BACK FROM THE BRINK

or Patricia Newman’s SEA OTTER HEROES.

For readers who love space blast off with THE DISASTERS, by MK England

For mystery lovers puzzle through THE GALLERY by Laura Marx Fitzgerald

For kids who like spooky books dare to try Jan Eldredge’s EVANGELINE OF THE BAYOU

For kids who like impossible rescues and invading knights tilt with THE MAD WOLF’S DAUGHTER by Diane Margas

For kids who like an unconventional ghost story , THE PECULIAR INCIDENT ON SHADY STREET, by Lindsay Currie

For kids who like unconventional love stories about tolerance, acceptance, and how to be brave enough to be your authentic self read ONE TRUE WAY by Shannon Hitchcock.

For the reader who loves  gross science that is also cool, check out Heather Montgomery’s

SOMETHING ROTTEN: A FRESH LOOK AT ROADKILL 

Didn’t see a recommendation that helps you? Leave your own! We always love to hear about middle grade books that are a great read.

Happy Holidays from the MUF team! May your joyous season be filled with amazing BOOKS… and the time to read them.

Jennifer Swanson

Science ROCKS! And so do Jennifer Swanson's books. She is the award-winning author of over 40 nonfiction books for kids. Jennifer Swanson’s love of science began when she started a science club in her garage at the age of 7. While no longer working from the garage, you can find Jennifer at her favorite place to explore the world around her. www.JenniferSwansonBooks.com
Jennifer is also the creator and administrator of #STEMTuesday and #STEAMTeam2020